1986 Mercedes 300SDL - Remarkable - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gehunter · #1 03-07-2013, 05:34 PM

I just got back from a 221 mile roundtrip through the VA mountains. Filled her back up: 6 gallons total. That's it. That's unfreeking real! Back of the envelope math says I just got 37mpg in a 2 ton 27 year old car.

barry12345 · #2 03-07-2013, 06:47 PM

Perhaps a little too optomistic unfortunatly. Even winter grade fuel will pull down the average. High normal average on highway at best is usually about thirty taking it fairly easy on the highway. If you can get that the 603 engine is in pretty good shape. To get that in stock condition at least.

Mind you I wish we could get that kind of fuel milage on the older diesels. We can on some of the newer series of diesels that where manufactured later..

I think I know how you feel but longer averages are required to get a more accurate picture. The high fuel milage ones are usually confined to ebay. Check yours over more time and milage.

Bens lover · #3 03-07-2013, 07:16 PM

Yes its good indeed.

I drive regularly between Sydney and Brisbane Australia and it takes just over half a tank 453 miles or 729 km one way.
Its a definite increase millage wise having a car in a warmer climate.This car was in western Canada before I brought it here a few years back.

Actually all of the Mercs that I had shipped here from Canada two 126 and one 123 fuel consumption has decreased dramatically for the better I must say.
Enjoy

Big Dan

shertex · #4 03-07-2013, 08:00 PM

Yeah, I really think 28-30 mpg is the most that can realistically be expected from an SDL....which is still great.

NJ300sdl · #5 03-07-2013, 08:46 PM

Just got 26 mpg at an average speed of 69 mph, FL to NJ. Sometimes get 27 mpg.

vstech · #6 03-07-2013, 10:15 PM

likely slow/easy going uphill, and frantic downhill, and fill up at the bottom of a loooong hill to get the total fill...

pawoSD · #7 03-07-2013, 11:05 PM

220 miles/6 gallons is too small of a fuel use to get an accurate usage measurement.

also, just the incline the car is sitting on at the fuel station can make a 2-3 gallon difference of how much you can get in the tank, which on such a small fillup would be a huge margin of error.

theref · #8 03-08-2013, 11:08 AM

I think they use Imperial gallons there. And it is summertime there now and they may not even use winterized fuel in July-their winter.

pawoSD · #9 03-08-2013, 11:39 AM

That would be in the 31-32 mpg range then with the conversion. Doable....but still too small a measurement to be accurate. I also doubt driving through the mountains it would be possible. They enjoy the fuel when climbing huge grades.

barry12345 · #10 03-08-2013, 12:06 PM

I think he is in the DC area. So he is quoting those minature american gallons. The most paintful here in Canada is when they went to metric and at the same time it seemed they reduced our paint cans to 3.78 litres or the american gallon size at the same time. 4.54 litres was the imperial gallon equivelant.

Fulcrum525 · #11 03-08-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehunter

I just got back from a 221 mile roundtrip through the VA mountains. Filled her back up: 6 gallons total. That's it. That's unfreeking real! Back of the envelope math says I just got 37mpg in a 2 ton 27 year old car.

How much downhill driving was there

gehunter · #12 03-08-2013, 01:16 PM

driving through the Shenandoah valley there are a few hills, but it's relatively flat.

it's only when you hit the town of Strasburg, near Winchester, that the climb through the mountains begins, and for about 15 miles you're climbing and falling. Folks out West would generously call them "hills"...anyhow.

Given that I-66 in Virginia is a major E/W thoroughfare, I have a dirty little secret: I draft semi-trucks. I get in their wake, I and let them pull me along.

No magic, just a little lunacy

barry12345 · #13 03-08-2013, 01:35 PM

So one of your ongoing issues in life will always be. Where is a semi truck when you need one?

My secret for higher miles per gallon is to always drive downhill. But posting from the bottom of the dead sea is a pain. Especially including waiting for tow trucks to get me back up to reasonable elevations.

pawoSD · #14 03-08-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehunter

driving through the Shenandoah valley there are a few hills, but it's relatively flat.

it's only when you hit the town of Strasburg, near Winchester, that the climb through the mountains begins, and for about 15 miles you're climbing and falling. Folks out West would generously call them "hills"...anyhow.

Given that I-66 in Virginia is a major E/W thoroughfare, I have a dirty little secret: I draft semi-trucks. I get in their wake, I and let them pull me along.

No magic, just a little lunacy

Drafting semi's is usually grounds for a ticket if a cop spots you doing it....and its also a great way to ruin your: grill, hood paint, headlights, windshield, and so on, with kicked up rocks and dirt from the truck. I stay far back, and keep my car looking nice.

Hit Man X · #15 03-08-2013, 02:05 PM

37mpg is wishful.

I used to drive mine from DFW to Houston ALL the time (very flat, very boring), I routinely received 29-30mpg with normal driving around 65-67mph. A 60mph drive yielded high 31mpg.

They are great cruisers, but now it is nearly not worth driving them due to cost of 87 fuel that my gasser 126s burn versus price of Winter blend No 2.